Method of encouraging exercise and exercise machine applying method

ABSTRACT

A method of encouraging exercise collects motion data of a user of a type of exercise machine. It is determined whether the user is in a good state according to the motion data. If the user is deemed in a good state, the motion data are sent to a cloud server. Ranking information of multiple users on same type of exercise machine are received from the cloud server. The ranking information is displayed on a touch screen of the exercise machine. The method realizes interaction of the user on a virtual reality basis, and improves exercise motivation of the user.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to human health, specifically a method of encouraging exercise and an exercise machine applying the method.

BACKGROUND

In a gym, an individual can use an exercise machine (such as a treadmill) for fitness, and there is no interaction with other users. Even though the exercise machine may be equipped with audio-visual equipment for entertainment, the individual may still get bored and fail to achieve a training goal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings that need to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only examples. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the provided drawings without creative work.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an application environment of a method of encouraging exercise in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exercise machine applying the method of encouraging exercise according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 show a structure of the exercise machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method of encouraging exercise in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a scene selecting screen in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For clarity, of illustration of objectives, features and advantages of the present disclosure, the drawings combined with the detailed description illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure hereinafter. It is noted that embodiments of the present disclosure and features of the embodiments can be combined, when there is no conflict.

Various details are described in the following descriptions for better understanding of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may also be implemented in other ways other than those described herein. The scope of the present disclosure is not to be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The terms used herein in the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an application environment of a method of encouraging exercise in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

An application environment of the method may include a plurality of exercise machines 3 and a cloud server 4. The exercise machines 3 are connected to the cloud server 4. In one embodiment, the exercise machines 3 include treadmills, stationary bikes, climbing machines, and flywheel machines. Each exercise machine 3 can be used by a user. The cloud server 4 may include at least one processor 400 and a storage device 401. The storage device 401 may include an exercise system 402. The exercise machines 3 can be arranged in a same place (for example, a gym) or different places (for example, different types of exercise machines in different places). The cloud server 4 can be arranged in a place different from the exercise machines 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exercise machine applying the method of encouraging exercise.

The exercise machine 3 may include a central control unit 300, a memory 301, a data collection unit 303, a touch screen 304, a communication unit 305, and a speed adjustment unit 311 (for example, on a running track). The memory 301, the data collection unit 303, the touch screen 304, the communication unit 305, and the speed adjustment unit 311 are connected to the central control unit 300. The memory 301 may include a data processing system 302. The data collection unit 303 may include a camera module 309 and a sensor module 310. The communication unit 305 may be a WI-FI module. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the memory 31 is not included in the central control unit 300. In other embodiments, the memory 31 may be included in the central control unit 300.

In some embodiments, the storage device 401 and the memory 301 are used to store program codes and various data. For example, the storage device 401 may store the exercise system 402. The memory 301 may store the data processing system 302. The storage device 401 and the memory 301 can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), one-time programmable read-only memory (OTPROM), electronically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, tape storage, or any other computer-readable storage medium that can be used to carry or store data.

In some embodiments, the processor 400 and the central control unit 300 may be composed of a single integrated circuit or multiple integrated circuits. The integrated circuit is composed of one or more central processing units (CPU), microprocessors, digital processing chips, graphics processors, and various control chips. The processor 400 is a control core of the cloud server 4, which uses various interfaces and lines to connect various components of the cloud server 4, and runs or executes programs stored in the storage device 401, and calls up data stored in the storage device 401 to perform various functions of the cloud server 4 and process data, for example, perform the function of exercise shown in FIG. 4. The central control unit 300 is a control core of the exercise machine 3, which uses various interfaces and lines to connect various components of the entire exercise machine 3, and runs or executes programs stored in the memory 301.

Although not shown, the cloud server 4 may also include a first power source (such as a battery) for supplying power to various components of the cloud server 4. The first power source may be logically connected to the processor 400 through a first power management device, so as to realize functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management. The exercise machine 3 may include a second power source (such as a battery) for supplying power to various components of the exercise machine 3. The second power source may be logically connected to the central control unit 300 through the second power management device, so as to realize functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management. The cloud server 4 and the exercise machine 3 may also include other components, such as BLUETOOTH modules.

In some embodiments, the exercise system 402 and the data processing system 302 may include function modules composed of computer-readable instruction segments. The instruction segments in the exercise system 402 can be stored in the storage device 401 of the cloud server 4 and executed by the processor 400. The instruction segments in the data processing system 302 can be stored in the memory 301 of the exercise machine 3 and executed by the central control unit 300.

FIG. 3 show a structure of the exercise machine 3.

In the embodiment, the camera module 309 of FIG. 2 may include two first high-speed cameras 3091 and two second high-speed cameras 3092. The first high-speed cameras and the second high-speed cameras may be charge coupled device (CCD) cameras. The first high-speed cameras may be used to capture images of faces, heads, hands, and torso of a user of the exercise machine 3. The second high-speed cameras may be used to capture images of legs, feet, and other lower parts of the user. In other embodiments, the first high-speed cameras and the second high-speed cameras may be three-dimensional (3D) motion sensing cameras.

In the embodiment, the sensor module 310 of FIG. 2 may include two temperature sensors 3101. The temperature sensors 3101 are used to detect body temperatures of the user. The temperature sensors 3101 may be non-contact temperature sensors, such as radiation thermometers.

The exercise machine 3 may include a supporting part 306, a bottom part 307, and two armrests 308. The supporting part 306 may be connected to the bottom part 307. The touch screen 304 may be installed at an upper portion of the supporting part 306. The armrests 308 may be connected to a middle of the supporting part 306. The temperature sensors 3101 may be installed at a lower portion of the supporting part 306. The speed adjustment unit 311 may be installed at the bottom part 307.

The first high-speed cameras 3091 may be installed above the touch screen 304. The temperature sensors 3101 may be installed at the lower portion of the supporting part 306. The second high-speed cameras 3092 may be installed at the bottom part 307 and may be distanced from the supporting part 306.

The touch screen 304 may be above the central control unit 300. The touch screen 304 is used to display images. For example, the touch screen 304 can display images captured by the first high-speed cameras 3091 and the second high-speed cameras 3092. The touch screen 304 is further used to receive touch input of the user.

The central control unit 300 may control an operation mode of the speed adjustment unit 311. The central control unit 300 may determines whether the user is in a good state according to motion data collected by the data collection unit 303. The motion data may include images and physiological characteristics (such as body temperature, heart rate) of the user. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the motion data may include images of the user captured by the first high-speed cameras 3091 and the second high-speed cameras 3092. The motion data may also include body temperatures of the user collected by the temperature sensors 3101. While the user is in a good state, the central control unit 300 may send the motion data to the cloud server 4 through the communication unit 305. If the user is not in a good state, the central control unit 300 may control the exercise machine 3 to stop. The cloud server 4 may receive motion data of multiple users from the exercise machines 3, and rank the users according to the motion data. The central control unit 300 may receive ranking information of the users from the cloud server 4 through the communication unit 305, and control the touch screen 304 to display the ranking information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of encouraging exercise in one embodiment. According to different requirements, the order of the steps in the flowchart may be changed, and some steps may be omitted.

In block S1, the cloud server 4 assigns an exercise machine 3 to each user.

Each user may select an exercise type. The cloud server 4 may assign an exercise machine 3 to the user according to the exercise type selected by the user. For example, the exercise machines 3 include treadmills, stationary bikes, climbing machines, and flywheel machines. If a user selects an exercise type of stationary bike, the cloud server 4 assigns a stationary bike to the user. If the user selects an exercise type of climbing machine, the cloud server 4 assigns a climbing machine to the user. If the user selects a treadmill exercise type, the cloud server 4 assigns a treadmill to the user. If the user selects an exercise type of flywheel machine, the cloud server 4 assigns a flywheel machine to the user.

The cloud server 4 may assign a user identifier (ID) to each user. For example, there are five users who select a treadmill exercise type, and user IDs of A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 are assigned to the five users.

The cloud server 4 may input the exercise type and the user ID of a user into a central control unit 300 of an exercise machine 3 assigned to the user. The central control unit 300 may control the touch screen 304 of the exercise machine 3 assigned to the user to display the exercise type and the user ID of the user. The central control unit 300 may control the touch screen 304 to display information to remind the user to warm up before exercise, and/or remind the user of start time of exercise.

In block S2, the central control unit 300 determines a sporting scene for the user, and displays the sporting scene on the touch screen 304.

The central control unit 300 may display a scene selecting screen including multiple sporting scenes on the touch screen 304, and determine the sporting scene for the user according to an operation of the user on the scene selecting screen. Each exercise type may correspond to a specific scene selecting screen.

In one embodiment, when the start time of exercise is reached, the central control unit 300 controls the touch screen 304 to display the scene selecting screen including the sporting scenes. The central control unit 300 may display selection buttons on the scene selecting screen for selecting a sporting scene. The selection buttons can be placed anywhere of the scene selecting screen, such as an upper left corner of each sporting scene. The central control unit 300 may display a name and an duration of each sporting scene (such as “45 min Boston”, “45 min London”) on the scene selecting screen. The central control unit 300 controls the touch screen 304 to display the sporting scene determined for the user.

FIG. 5 shows a scene selecting screen in one embodiment. In FIG. 5, the central control unit 300 controls the touch screen 304 of the exercise machine 3 to display a scene selecting screen including six sporting scenes, such as screens of marathon-hosting cities such as Boston and London. If the user selects a sporting scene from the scene selecting screen, the central control unit 300 controls the touch screen 304 to display the sporting scene.

The cloud server 4 may obtain the sporting scene of each user. For example, the cloud server 4 may download a virtual reality (VR) panoramic map of each marathon-hosting city. The exercise machine 3 obtains the VR panoramic map from the cloud server 4, controls the touch screen 304 to display the VR panoramic map, and obtain the motion data through the data collection unit 303. The exercise machine 3 may change the VR panoramic map according to the motion data, so that the user can be totally immersed in the exercise and increase his or her interest in the exercise.

In block S3, the central control unit 300 controls the speed adjustment unit 311 to operate according to the sporting scene.

In one embodiment, the sporting scene may include slopes, potholes, bumps, turns, etc., and the central control unit 300 may control the speed adjustment unit 311 (for example, a running track) to operate according to the sporting scene. For example, when the sporting scene shows that the user is going uphill, the central control unit 300 may control the speed adjustment unit 311 to increase an incline. When the sporting scene shows that the user is going downhill, the central control unit 300 may control the speed adjustment unit 311 to decrease the incline.

In block S4, the data collection unit 303 collects the motion data of the user when the user is doing exercise on the exercise machine 3.

In one embodiment, the data collection unit 303 includes the camera module 309 and the sensor module 310. The camera module 309 may capture images of face, head, hands, legs, feet, and torso of the user. The sensor module 310 may collect physiological characteristics (such as body temperature, heart rate) of the user.

In one embodiment, according to the motion data, the central control unit 300 draws a virtual object corresponding to the user, and controls the touch screen 304 to display the virtual object. The central control unit 300 controls the virtual object to show actions of the user. Between virtual objects of different users of a same exercise type, interactions of the users are simulated. The interactions may include jostling and collisions. In one embodiment, the central control unit 300 may obtain images of the hands, feet, and torso of the user, and use three dimension (3D) modeling technology to draw the virtual object of the user based on the images. In one embodiment, a 3D motion sensing camera (for example, a Natal) in the sensor module 310 may also be used to capture movement of the user, and draw a corresponding virtual object of the user.

In block S5, the central control unit 300 determines whether the user is in a good state according to the motion data. If the user is not in a good state, the process goes to S6. If the user is in a good state, the process goes to S7.

In one embodiment, the central control unit 300 obtains a body temperature of the user collected by the sensor module 310, and compares the body temperature with a preset temperature range (such as 35 degrees Celsius to 39 degrees Celsius). If the body temperature is within the preset temperature range, the user is deemed in a good state. If the body temperature is not within the preset temperature range, the user is deemed not in a good state.

In another embodiment, the central control unit 300 obtains facial images and head images of the user captured by the camera module 309, calculates a heart rate of the user according to the facial images and the head images, and compares the heart rate of the user with a preset heart rate range (such as 60 beats/minute to 160 beats/minute). If the heart rate is within the preset heart rate range, the user is deemed in a good state. If the heart rate is not within the preset heart rate range, the user is deemed not in a good state. The central control unit 300 may calculates the heart rate of the user based on skin color of the user's face.

In block S6, the central control unit 300 controls the exercise machine 3 to stop.

In one embodiment, the central control unit 300 may control the data collection device 303 of the exercise machine 3 to stop. The central control unit 300 may control the touch screen 304 of the exercise machine 3 to issue a warning (such as a voice warning). The central control unit 300 may control the speed adjustment unit 311 of the exercise machine 3 to decelerate according to a preset rule until it stops. For example, the preset rule may be, starting from a time when the touch screen 304 issues the warning, the running track decelerates evenly to stop within thirty seconds.

In block S7, the central control unit 300 sends the motion data of the user to the cloud server 4 through the communication unit 305.

In one embodiment, the communication unit 305 may be a WI-FI module.

In block S8, the cloud server 4 processes motion data of multiple users based on predetermined rules, and obtains ranking information of the users.

In one embodiment, the cloud server 4 obtains sports information of each user based on the motion data of the user according to a preset competition rule. The cloud server 4 compares the sports information of the users, and obtains ranking information as if the users are in competition. It should be noted that sports information of users of a same exercise type only is compared. For example, sports information of five users A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 is compared. The exercise type of the of five users is treadmill. The sports information may include an average running speed, a running distance, and a running time. The preset competition rule may be that the greater the average running speed, the longer the distance run, and the longer the running time, the higher the ranking. Each of the sports information may correspond to a proportion. For example, the average running speed corresponds to a proportion of 40%, the running distance corresponds to a proportion of 30%, and the running time corresponds to a proportion of 30%. A rank score may be calculated according to individual rankings and proportions of the average running speed, the distance run, and the running time. The rank score of each user are compared. The lower the rank score, the higher will be the ranking. For example, the individual rankings of the average running speed, the running distance, and the running time of the user A1 are 5th, 3rd, and 1st respectively, and the rank score of the user A1 is 3.2 (5×40%+3×30%+1×30%). The average running speed, the distance run, and the running time of the user A2 are 3rd, 2nd, and 3rd respectively, and the rank score of the user A2 is 2.7 (3×40%+2×30%+3×30%). The rank score of the user A2 is lower than the rank score of the user A1, so the user A2 ranks higher than the user A1. In other embodiments, the sports information may include an average heart rate, an average body temperature, a calorie consumption.

In block S9, the cloud server 4 sends the ranking information to the central control unit 300, and the central control unit 300 controls the touch screen 304 to display the ranking information.

In one embodiment, the ranking information may be displayed on the touch screen 304 in a table.

The present disclosure is not limited to the details of the above-described exemplary embodiments, and the present disclosure can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. All changes and variations in the meaning and scope of equivalent elements are included in the present disclosure. Any reference sign in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claim. Furthermore, the word “comprising” does not exclude other units nor does the singular exclude the plural. A plurality of units or devices stated in the system claims may also be implemented by one unit or device through software or hardware. Words such as “first” and “second” are used to indicate names but do not signify any particular order.

Finally, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate technical solutions of the present disclosure, and are not to be taken as restrictions on the technical solutions. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in one embodiments can be modified, or some of technical features can be equivalently substituted, and that these modifications or substitutions are not to detract from the essence of the technical solutions or from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 

We claim:
 1. An exercise machine comprising a central control unit, a data collection unit, a touch screen, and a communication unit, the data collection unit, the touch screen, and the communication unit connected to the central control unit; the data collection unit collecting motion data of a user of the exercise machine; the central control unit determining whether the user is in a good state according to the motion data; the central control unit sending the motion data to a cloud server through the communication unit if the user is determined to be in a good state; the central control unit receiving ranking information of a plurality of users from the cloud server through the communication unit; and the central control unit controlling the touch screen to display the ranking information.
 2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the data collection unit comprises a camera module and a sensor module, and the motion data comprise images captured by the camera module and physiological characteristics collected by the sensor module.
 3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the exercise machine further comprises a supporting part, a bottom part, and two armrests, the supporting part is connected to the bottom part, the touch screen is installed at an upper portion of the supporting part, the armrests is connected to a middle of the supporting part, and the sensor module is installed at a lower portion of the supporting part.
 4. The exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the camera module comprises two first high-speed cameras and two second high-speed cameras, the sensor module comprises two temperature sensors, the two first high-speed cameras are installed above the touch screen, the touch screen is installed above the central control unit, the two temperature sensors are installed at the lower portion of the supporting part, and the two second high-speed cameras are installed at the bottom part and distanced from the supporting part.
 5. A method of encouraging exercise, comprising: collecting motion data of a user of an exercise machine; determining whether the user is in a good state according to the motion data; sending the motion data to a cloud server if the user is determined to be in a good state; receiving ranking information of a plurality of users from the cloud server; and displaying the ranking information.
 6. A method of encouraging exercise, comprising: assigning, by a cloud server, an exercise machine to a user; determining, by a central control unit of the exercise machine, a sports scene for the user, and displaying the sports scene on a touch screen of the exercise machine; controlling, by the central control unit, a speed adjustment unit of the exercise machine to operate according to the sports scene; collecting, by a data collection unit of the exercise machine, motion data of the user; determining, by the central control unit, whether the user is in a good state according to the motion data; controlling, by the central control unit, the exercise machine to stop if the user is determined not in the good state; sending, by the central control unit, the motion data of the user to the cloud server through a communication unit of the exercise machine; processing, by the cloud server, motion data of a plurality of users, and obtaining ranking information of the plurality of users comprising the user; sending, by the cloud server, the ranking information to the central control unit; and controlling, by the central control unit, the touch screen to display the ranking information.
 7. The method of encouraging exercise of claim 6, further comprising: drawing, by the central control unit, a virtual object corresponding to the user; controlling, by the central control unit, the touch screen to display the virtual object; controlling, by the central control unit, the virtual object to show actions of the user; and simulating, by the central control unit, interactions of the plurality of users in the virtual object.
 8. The method of encouraging exercise of claim 6, controlling the exercise machine to stop comprising: controlling the data collection device to stop; controlling the touch screen to issue a warning; and controlling the speed adjustment unit to decelerate.
 9. The method of encouraging exercise of claim 6, processing motion data of a plurality of users comprising: obtaining sports information of each of the plurality of users based on the motion data of the plurality of users; and comparing sports information of the plurality of users.
 10. The method of encouraging exercise of claim 9, comparing sports information of the plurality of users comprising: calculating a rank score for each of the plurality of users according sports information of the plurality of users; and comparing the rank score of the user with the rank scores of the plurality of users. 